FAQ on Cordlife’s Singapore Facility

We’ve significantly enhanced the reliability of our services by upgrading our lab monitoring system, which now includes real-time remote and on-site monitoring, proactive alerts through multiple communication channels, and a three-tiered escalation protocol for prompt issue resolution. Additionally, we’ve reinforced our core processes by implementing comprehensive training programmes for our laboratory staff and bringing in experienced technical personnel to uphold our commitment to quality and safety. We made these improvements under the guidance of industry experts from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), our Medical and Technical Advisory Board, as well as Shandong Qilu Stem Cell Engineering Co., Ltd., our counterpart in mainland China. This reflects our ongoing dedication to operational excellence.

In close collaboration with MOH and guided by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and AABB guidelines, we have implemented a comprehensive set of preventive measures to ensure the ongoing safety of stored cord blood. This includes the installation of a more advanced, digitalised lab monitoring system that allows for real-time remote and on-site surveillance of our Singapore facility. We have also implemented more robust failsafe measures to ensure uninterrupted operations, even under adverse conditions, and provided extensive training to our staff while increasing the number of experienced technical personnel to enhance our lab’s expertise and processing capabilities.

In the unfortunate event that your child needs a cord blood transplant, we're here to support you every step of the way. Simply contact us, and we'll guide you through the entire process. Once we receive a physician's order with the necessary details, including HLA typing and transplant information, we'll begin testing your child's cord blood. We will provide the transplant physician with this critical information to facilitate their decision-making. Our team is committed to making this challenging time as smooth as possible by coordinating with healthcare providers and ensuring the prompt release of your child's cord blood.

Cordlife’s current net cash position remains healthy. As a Singapore Exchange (SGX) Mainboard-listed company, we adhere to rigorous standards of financial transparency and corporate governance. Our strong financial position enables us to invest in advanced technology and process improvements, ensuring the safety and security of your child’s cord blood. Additionally, recognising the long-term nature of our storage services, we’ve made a significant investment in purchasing our own properties. This decision underscores our deep commitment to our clients, ensuring that we provide a stable, reliable service for years to come.

We have implemented robust, long-term measures, such as continuous internal audits, more comprehensive and regular staff training, and closer collaboration with regulatory bodies and external experts, to prevent any adverse incidents from occurring. Our upgraded monitoring system allows us to detect and address potential issues before they escalate. Additionally, we will ensure the effectiveness of these improvements through ongoing real-time monitoring, regular audits, and data analysis. We have also established a dedicated internal audit department, separate from our existing quality departments, focused on identifying any gaps and areas for improvement. Our Medical and Technical Advisory Board will provide ongoing feedback to ensure high operational standards, ensuring that our processes remain robust and reliable, thus avoiding future disruptions. Additionally, Shandong Qilu Stem Cell will continue to provide ongoing support during the upcoming period. The board will keep continuous oversight over the status and progress of the company.

Yes, we meet the essential requirements to provide cord blood banking services in Singapore, complying with the stringent regulations set by MOH under the Healthcare Services Act (HCSA). These regulations are designed to ensure that cord blood banks in Singapore maintain strict quality standards, and we ensure that every aspect of our operations aligns with these requirements. Additionally, we rigorously adhere to globally recognised AABB and FACT standards, which are key benchmarks in cord blood banking. We are committed to continuous improvement, regularly updating our processes to stay aligned with both local and international regulations, ensuring the quality and safety of your child’s cord blood.

AABB’s accreditation programme is a voluntary initiative aimed at optimising patient and donor care and safety. While this accreditation is important, it does not impact the storage conditions or the quality of the cord blood units stored at our facility. Your access to your child’s stored cord blood remains unchanged, and it is readily available if needed for treatment. Our facility is licensed by the Ministry of Health, which maintains equally strict standards to ensure the safety of your child's cord blood.

Our team is committed to providing uninterrupted access to your child’s cord blood at all times. Since 2005, AABB has accredited Cordlife’s facility in Singapore, and we intend to invite AABB assessors for an on-site inspection in the coming months to regain our accreditation. We will keep you informed of any updates as they arise.

Cordlife has a proven track record of successfully releasing cord blood for medical treatments on behalf of our clients in Asia. We have worked with 21 healthcare institutions in 10 countries, and all of them have accepted the units we store in our facilities. This highlights our capability and reliability in supporting life-saving treatments. We want to reassure you that Cordlife's facilities rigorously test every cord blood unit before releasing it for use in transplants or cellular therapies, and the transplant physicians or doctors involved have accepted all units.

Cordlife has instituted rigorous accountability measures to ensure that we consistently meet our commitments to clients. These measures include regular internal and external audits, strict adherence to established protocols, and ongoing performance reviews to maintain exceptional quality standards. Our internal governance framework oversees these processes, ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels. Furthermore, our service agreement includes a specific clause that offers protection to clients in the unlikely event that stored cord blood loses its viability, providing an additional layer of security and peace of mind.